Interesting times for top banker

May 18 2009 By Peter McCusker, The Journal

When Mike Mullaney accepted one of the top jobs in North East banking in 2007 little did he know the world of finance was set to be propelled to global attention. But as Peter McCusker discovers, Mullaney and his team are confident they are going from strength to strength.

The Questionnaire

-- Body

What car do you drive?
Mercedes Sport

What’s your favourite restaurant?
Tends to change from time to time, but currently The Pavilion in Iveston, Consett

Who or what makes you laugh?
Good-quality satire

What’s your favourite book?
Spycatcher, by Peter Wright

What’s your favourite film?
Tends to ebb and flow but probably Top Gun (corny I know!)

What was the last album you bought?
Day & Age by The Killers

What’s your ideal job, other than your current one?
Travel writer

If you had a talking parrot, what’s the first thing you’d teach it to say?
Morning campers!

What’s your greatest fear?
Championship football

What’s the best piece of business advice you have ever received?
Preparation is the key to success

Worst business advice?
This is a great development opportunity . . .

What’s your poison?
Numerous to choose from, but would say a cold, quality pint of lager

What newspaper do you read, other than The Journal?
The FT and Independent

How much was your first pay packet and what was it for?
£9.50 per week for collecting milk money door to door while doing my A-levels

How do you keep fit?
Not as often as I should but getting out on my mountain bike is my favourite

What’s your most irritating habit?
Not listening, so my wife says

What’s your biggest extravagance?
Holidays. We like to get away as a family as often as we can

Which historical or fictional character do you most identify with/admire?
Nelson Mandela, for his sheer determination

And which four famous people would you most like to dine with?
Obama, Mandela, Bobby Moore and Jimmy Carr

How would you like to be remembered?
Trying to make a difference

Page 4: The CV